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1-888-462-2122January 31, 2025
For the most part, car shipping in Canada is pretty much the same whether you’re transporting an electric, hybrid, or internal combustion vehicle. However, there are a couple of important things to be aware of before you ship a hybrid or EV long distances to ensure a smooth voyage —and here they are.
Over time, EVs will very slowly deplete their charge, even while the car is turned off. Now, your battery won’t go from 100% to zero, even if you’re shipping across Canada, but it could lose as much as 5-10% of its charge. Most shippers recommend charging your EV to between 50% and 75% charge before shipping; this is enough battery to ensure the car won’t flat-line during transit but also won’t damage your battery by keeping it fully charged while it’s not in use.
Plug-in hybrids are a great middle ground between fully electric and internal combustion-only cars, but when you’re shipping one you’ll need to make sure you have fuel in the tank. While PHEVs can operate on battery only for most driving, some models will start the engine when starting, warming up, and powering up systems; if you try shipping one on an empty tank there’s a good chance it won’t start. Aim for around ¼ tank, this won’t add substantially to the weight (and shipping costs) but will ensure you have enough to get to a gas station if needed.
Some EVs and PHEVs will remain “alive” when their fobs are nearby, so not only is leaving your keys inside your vehicle a bad idea for safety reasons, but it could also drain your battery while in transit.
While charging stations have their own charging cables, it’s always a good idea to make sure your car’s plug is accessible, just in case. This could save the truck driver a major headache during transport or save you the hassle of trying to find a charging station at delivery, either way having the cable readily available ensures your vehicle can be quickly charged if needed.
In the very unlikely case that your EV car battery does die during transit, the shipping company may charge you a dead battery handling fee. This is to cover the extra labour and equipment required to safely unload the vehicle. To avoid this unpleasant scenario, make sure your EV battery is charged to the recommended level before shipping and that your charging cable is inside the car.
While these tips aren’t unique to EVs —they apply to all cars being shipped— they are worth covering here.
But won’t it just get dirty? Yes, it probably will, but cleaning your car before shipping makes it easier to spot and document any damage so there are no surprises or disputes when you pick up your car at its destination.
Remove all personal belongings from your vehicle before shipping. Not only are these items typically not covered by the carrier’s insurance, but you want anything to get broken or damaged during transit.
It’s also a good idea to take pictures during the walk-through inspection with the shipping company to ensure both parties agree on the car’s initial condition. These photos can be invaluable in the rare event that damage occurs during transit.
When it comes down to the details shipping an EV or PHEV is not much different than shipping a regular car, just make sure to prepare beforehand and pick the right vehicle shipper!
January 31, 2025
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